Released
Nov, 1971
Platform
Arcade
Developed by
Computer Recreations, Inc.
Published by
Computer Recreations, Inc.

Interface
Direct control
Setting
Sci-fi / futuristic
Visual
Fixed / flip-screen
Gameplay
Arcade, Shooter
Perspective
Top-down
Vehicular
Space flight
Genre
Action

Description

Galaxy Game is a conversion of one of the earliest video games ever produced, Spacewar. Released in September of 1971, it is the first known arcade game - beating yet another Spacewar conversion, Computer Space, by a mere two months. The game was never mass-produced and was only available at the Tresidder Union Coffee House at Stanford University.

With monochrome vector graphics, Galaxy Game is a space shooter where two players try to blow up each other's spaceship. Besides firing, players can rotate their ships left and right, thrust forward, and jump to hyperspace, reappearing at a random (potentially dangerous) location. Both ships have a limited amount of fuel that is consumed over time and as the players use their engines and the hyperspace ability. A ship explodes when it runs out of fuel.

One of the most interesting gameplay elements of the game is the gravitational pull caused by a star in the middle of the screen, which both players must avoid colliding into. However, this feature can be disabled by setting one of the machine's control switches.

The game also features a single-player mode for practice.

From Mobygames.com. Original Entry